The Meal (part 5 of 7)

The Meal (Part 5 of 7)

Giving Thanks. 

“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:19‬

We often forget or simplify this part of the meal or we pass it along to guests or other family members because of our embarrassment or maybe we defer out of respect. 

Sometimes we feel like we made it too short, too long, didn’t include the right things or couldn’t remember someone’s name. 

In any instance, this is a very important part of the meal but that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated. 

Jesus set the example in many instances in the Bible. In some verses He blessed the food and in others He gave thanks to God for it. In some instances the disciples were already eating when Jesus blessed the food.

Whether you spend a long time or say just a few words, we are to go to God in prayer with thanksgiving. We are going to God in prayer to give thanks and to ask God’s blessing on the food that He provides for us. 

This is a reverent time, not to be taken flippantly. Most meal-time prayers can become rehearsed, learned and repeated verbatim. Even if it is a repeated prayer, it should be heartfelt and done with purpose. 

In the Bible it is only recognized that Jesus gave thanks or blessed the meal and that most thanks was given to God and most blessings came from God or Jesus. 

In fact, prayer was often done after a meal was eaten, which has been historically recorded in the time period before Jesus. Have you ever given thanks in prayer after a meal?

When was the last time you gave thanks for a meal? When was the last time you gave thanks for a meal in public?

Think about this, the mere fact that we are able to eat a meal should be a blessing we give thanks for. 

And lastly, remember that prayer is vitally important to your walk with God. Not just at a meal, but first thing in the morning, throughout the day and in the evening. Prayer is a way for us to communicate with God for many reasons, most of all because of our relationship with Him. Check out my past devotion on prayer.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:4-5‬

“And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:35‬

“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:10

“And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭23:25